Page 18 of Next to You

“You’ve got yourself a deal.”

“How long do we have before the food in the freezer goes bad?”

“We keep a cup of frozen water in there with a dime on top just in case the power goes out when no one is around. The dime was still on top last night, so we should be safe for the next few days as long as we keep the door closed as much as possible. We can always pack it with snow if needed to make it last longer.”

“Would it be stupid to drink our coffee outside on the porch? I know it will be cold. But it’s gorgeous out there.”

I turned and saw her standing in front of the window, fingertips pressed against the glass. She was short, but her legs appeared long, maybe because her waist was so tiny, like a little hourglass.

She had soft curves, full, lush breasts and an ass that came straight out of a fantasy. And although I couldn’t see it right now with her back turned, she had a dimple when she smiled. For years, that dimple drove me crazy, especially because it appeared when she smiled, and I always loved it more than I should when she smiled at me.

“No, we have a portable fire pit and plenty of winter clothes. Sometimes, I come up here alone to think. I always sit on the porch with my coffee.”

She crossed the room to stand at the counter, watching me gather the coffee supplies. “It was the first thing I thought of when I saw those rocking chairs last night. It’s so peaceful here.”

I could see her here with me, somewhere in the future. Rocking in the chairs my dad built, drinking coffee, at peace, happy together…

I gritted my teeth and reminded myself that we were in an extreme circumstance. Our emotions, including our attraction to each other, were running high, and the worst thing I could do was act on them now, no matter what she said about trusting my instincts.Icouldn’t trust my instincts right now, and that alone should be enough to hold me back.

“This is my favorite place,” I told her as I scooped coffee into the French press and deliberately kept my eyes on the task at hand instead of her sweetly smiling face.

She was unlike any woman I’d ever known. When we were kids, I knew she was an open book—she would say anything that popped into her head, and it was usually spot-on, witty, and hilarious. She was well-liked, sweet, and kind to everyone, and it seemed like she hadn’t grown out of that. There was no artifice to her.

With Lucy, what you see is what you get. I found it as amazing now as I did back then. I was finally old enough to fullyappreciate it this time. Now, I wouldn’t get hung up on my own insecurities and let her get away.

Iwasgood enough for her. Things like getting good grades and what crowd you hung around with were meaningless in the real world. Spending time with her here made me realize we weren’t quite so opposite anymore. The more we talked, the more I believed I could have a chance with her.

“I can see why. I’m already in love with the place. Thank you for sharing it with me.” She was luminous. Gorgeous. I could get lost in her eyes. The kindness and sincerity that radiated from her stunned me almost into silence.

“Of course.” I blinked, refocusing my gaze as I tried to think of something to say. Taking part in this conversation would be a good idea. But, damn, she was doing my head in with her early morning cuteness. “How do you take your coffee?” I managed to ask.

“I like it black if it’s good.”

“Me too.” The similarities between us were stacking up one by one, almost as if this were meant to happen. Yeah, this was only how we took our coffee, but I couldn’t help but smile.

“How strong do you want it?”

“Spencer, I want it to show up on a drug test.”

Unable to fight it, I burst out laughing. “Are you the perfect woman?”

She was. At least I was beginning to believe she could be perfect for me.

“Of course I am! Don’t you know that by now?” Her mouth quirked with humor. She was smiling, bantering as if she hadn’t had a traumatic night, and, most importantly, she was relaxed. The contrast was like night and day, and I was relieved. “So, how should we spend the day? Given how it looks outside, it seems we won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.”

“No, it’s pretty packed in. I’m just hoping I don’t have to dig my way to the shed to grab more wood for the fire.”

“I’ll help you if you do,” she sweetly offered. “I swear I won’t start a snowball fight, and I’m definitely not crossing my fingers behind my back.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better. I was worried about you last night.”

“After my dad left, my normal, everyday anxiety went into overdrive, and I would get panic attacks. It hasn’t happened in a long time, years, in fact. Last night was overwhelming. I was exhausted and overstimulated, and it was just too much. I’m sorr—” She bit her lip before finishing the apology.

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m glad I could be there for you.”

“Me too. You pulled me through it, and I appreciate it. I owe you a taco dinner. Me. You. Taco Time. As soon as we get out of here.”

“Are you asking me out?” I winked at her. “I accept.”

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